Author: McCormack+Kristel

The Client

In 1993, two graduate students launched an eight-week “pilot” project to provide a weekly after-school support group for LGBTQ youth. Meetings were held in the attic of a local social service agency and The Attic Youth Center was born. During the late 1990’s, The Attic grew its programming, services, and staffing. In 2000, The Attic incorporated as a nonprofit organization and received a gift from an anonymous donor to purchase its current home on 16^th Street, in Center City Philadelphia.

Today, The Attic is a nationally recognized, multi-service youth organization, and one of the largest community centers in the U.S. committed exclusively to serving LGBTQ youth and allies. The Attic’s youth programming focuses on assisting youth and young adults to develop essential life skills in the areas of job readiness, educational enrichment, leadership, arts and culture, and health and wellness. Services include HIV prevention, support groups, and case management. Counseling includes Comprehensive Risk Counseling Services (CRCS) and clinical mental health counseling. Additionally, the Bryson Institute provides training and education to build inclusive environments that recognize and promote the value of diversity. Since 2001, the Institute has been working with educational systems, social service agencies, workplaces, faith-based organizations, and communities to improve the support systems for LGBTQ youth and young adults.

Headquartered in Philadelphia, PA, The Attic Youth Center is governed by a nine-person Board of Directors and operates with a $1.6 million annual budget and 22 staff.

The Mission

The Attic Youth Center creates opportunities for LGBTQ youth to develop into healthy, independent, civic-minded adults within a safe and supportive community and promotes the acceptance of LGBTQ youth in society.

The Opportunity

This is an extraordinary opportunity for an experienced change agent to provide transformational leadership to a dynamic organization that provides vital services to Philadelphia’s LGBTQ youth.  The new Executive Director will play an integral role in reducing the isolation felt by LGBTQ youth; counteracting the prejudice and oppression they often face; and developing healthy, independent, thriving adults.

The Position

The Executive Director will provide strategic leadership to advance the agency’s vision, mission, goals, and objectives. Reporting to a nine-member Board of Directors, comprised of prominent Philadelphia business and community leaders, the Executive Director is responsible for all agency programs, operations, and fiscal oversight. They will lead by example and set clear strategies and performance expectations developed in collaboration with the staff and board. The Executive Director is the primary representative of the agency and is directly responsible for engaging stakeholders and securing funds to enhance its services and ensure its financial health. The Executive Director supervises a five-person leadership team responsible for programs, development, finance, and operations. Essential responsibilities of the position include:

Leadership

• Inspire, motivate, and lead a team of committed and engaged staff to realize the organization’s mission, vision, and strategic goals;
• Lead by example to enhance a culture of transparency and accountability and ensure organizational cohesion;
• Champion a culture of inclusion throughout the organization by fostering diversity and implementing robust equity policies;
• Recruit, retain, and develop a competent, qualified team to manage programming, counseling, and business functions;
• Establish organizational policies and procedures and ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Programs

• Oversee senior staff responsible for designing and delivering programming and counseling services;
• Ensure ongoing programmatic excellence, rigorous program evaluation, and consistent quality of services;
• Implement systems to track scaling progress and regularly evaluate program components to measure and effectively communicate successes to the board, funders and other constituents.

Fundraising and Fiscal Stewardship

• Lead the development of budgets and related program and staffing plans that advance the organization’s mission and strategic goals;
• Manage the organization’s financial resources, building on its foundation of fiscal stability and ensuring its long-term viability;
• Develop the overall fundraising strategy and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including individual, foundation, corporate, and government funders;
• Partner with the board to identify, solicit, and acquire new sources of funding, to encourage board giving, and to build sustainable sources of income for the organization.

Communications

• Serve as the organization’s primary spokesperson representing the Attic Youth Center in public, in the media, and at events;
• Foster strong relationships with other professional, civic, and private organizations and utilize those relationships to strategically enhance AYC’s Mission;
• Oversee marketing and communications efforts with goal of enhancing AYC’s brand.

Professional Requirements

The Attic Youth Center is seeking an entrepreneurial executive with fundraising and social services experience. The successful candidate will have a deep understanding of LGBTQ youth and proven leadership, coaching, and relationship management experience. The ideal candidate will have the following:

• A minimum of 10 years’ progressive management and organizational leadership experience in a social services agency. Prior experience as a CEO or Executive Director is strongly preferred;
• A dedication to and understanding of systemic oppression particularly as it relates to gender, sexual orientation, race, and adultism;
• Experience delivering programs and counseling services to youth, ideally LGBTQ youth;
• Demonstrable success leading and scaling a performance- and outcomes-based organization and a firm commitment to data-driven program evaluation;
• An understanding of case management services, ideally case management for homeless youth;
• A track-record of success developing donor relationships and generating new revenue streams;
• In-depth knowledge of nonprofit management and board governance best practices;
• Prior experience developing and implementing strategic plans;
• An undergraduate degree in a related field is desired, a graduate degree is preferred;
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite is essential.

Personal Characteristics

We are seeking a visionary leader who passionately believes LGBTQ youth deserve a safe space to express their identity, talk with a caring adult, participate in after-school activities, and receive assistance finding housing or a job. They will lead by example to create a culture of transparency and accountability. They will have exceptional interpersonal skills to engage and inspire donors and stakeholders and the business acumen to foster an innovative approach to fiscal planning and reporting. The ideal candidate will have:

• Knowledge of the history and issues affecting LGBTQ and gender non-conforming/non-binary (GNCNB) youth;
• An understanding of the intersectionality of racial equity, gender equity, and economic justice issues and their impact on LGBTQ, GNCNB youth;
• Strong relationship-building skills including a track record of success in fostering collaboration and strengthening networks;
• An approachable, collaborative, and transparent leadership style;
• A strong commitment to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and a commitment to advancing social justice;
• Strong written and verbal communications skills, including persuasive and passionate interpersonal communication and public speaking ability.

Compensation

Our client is offering a competitive salary, commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate, and an excellent benefits package including 100% employer paid health and dental insurance, a 401k retirement plan with annual budget-based employer matching (2% in FY20) contributions, and generous PTO and paid holiday policies.

Reimbursement toward basic relocation expenses will be considered for the exceptional individual they are seeking.

Location

When public health guidance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic permits, the Attic Youth Center’s new Executive Director will work in the agency’s 16^th Street, Center City offices. Currently, all staff are working remotely.

Contact

Please submit cover letter and résumé as attachments via e-mail to:

Michelle Kristel, Managing Partner

McCormack+Kristel

1740 Broadway, 15th Floor

New York, NY 10019

Phone: 212.531.5003 | Fax: 212.203.9599      

Email: search@mccormackkristel.com | Website www.mccormackkristel.com

All inquiries will be held in strict confidence.  Please note that your education, dates of employment and other information will be verified prior to an offer.

The Attic is an equal opportunity employer. The Attic does not discriminate on the basis of religion, creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

The Client

The Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice is the only philanthropic organization working exclusively to advance LGBTQI human rights around the globe. Astraea supports brilliant and brave grantee partners in the U.S. and internationally who challenge oppression and seed change. The Foundation’s founders—a cross-class, multi-racial group of women activists—dreamed of a women’s movement that centered the leadership of lesbians and women of color. For over four decades, Astraea has uniquely supported women’s rights and LBTQI movements working at the crossroads of gender justice, racial justice, bodily autonomy, sexual rights, and self-determination because we all deserve to live our lives freely, without fear, and with dignity.

The first grantmaker to hundreds of organizations, Astraea plays a catalytic role for LGBTQI groups around the world – particularly those led by lesbian, bisexual and queer women, trans and gender nonconforming folks, intersex people, and people of color. Astraea’s grantmaking, capacity building, media and communications, and philanthropic advocacy programs support work to build powerful movements for justice. A proud public foundation and one of the first women’s funds in the world, in its 44-year history Astraea has granted over $49 million to LGBTQI activists and artists. 

To learn more, please visit: https://www.astraeafoundation.org/

The Position

This is a newly created position reporting to the Executive Director. In collaboration with the Executive, Development and Communications Teams, the Vice President for Strategic Engagement (VP, Engagement) serves as the chief storyteller and resource mobilizer for Astraea. They are tasked with building the deepest understanding of Astraea’s unique approach to resourcing LGBTQI movements around the globe, and informing donors, institutional partners and the general public about how Astraea is achieving its impact as a feminist fund. This position requires absolute ownership of Astraea’s communication, engagement, and community-centric fundraising strategies, which are built around amplifying the stories and voices of their grantee and movement partners. 

This role additionally requires the ability to develop and implement annual strategic outcomes and revenue targets. When Astraea completes its next strategic plan in 2021/22, the VP, Engagement will oversee the development of an aligned communications and resource mobilization plan for generating revenue for the organization, positioning Astraea as a thought leader in social justice philanthropy and engaging a range of stakeholders in Astraea’s role fueling and amplifying global LGBTQI organizing. The VP, Engagement will be responsible for leading strategy aligned with that plan, including through direct supervision of the Development and Communications teams. The VP, Engagement will lead the teams in identifying, shaping and implementing comprehensive and cohesive resource mobilization and communications strategies to engage supporters, donors, donor prospects, institutional partners and other key stakeholders such as grantee partners, activist advisors, peer funders, and allies. 

The VP, Engagement must hold an external presence within women’s funds and social justice philanthropic networks, uplifting Astraea’s values around intersectional leadership and radical feminism, and is responsible for managing and supervising Directors for Individual Giving, Institutional Partnerships, Strategic Communications and the Senior Donor Systems and Database Manager as well as the overall teams. In addition, as Astraea reinvents its internal infrastructure, the VP, Engagement must bring knowledge and experience of best practices in data management and CRM software and other technology solutions, especially those that can enhance virtual engagement and donor retention. 

The ideal candidate has demonstrated success in leading aligned communications and development departments in a foundation or large non-profit; track record of meeting significant fundraising goals; experience managing remote teams; and commitment to fostering a collaborative, values-aligned, creative and vibrant work environment.

• Management and Organizational Leadership: The Vice President for Strategic Engagement will be responsible for leading and managing a team of highly skilled and passionate staff who bring a deep understanding of Astraea’s history, legacy, and importance to its funders, grantees and partners. As such, the VP, Engagement must bring prior experience leading communications and development teams, be an astute manager of people, and be committed to engaging in social-justice informed decision making and feminist leadership models. The VP, Engagement will ensure Astraea’s annual fundraising goals of around $14 million are met, oversee all communication strategies, manage a department budget, and cultivate and maintain an inclusive and equitable department culture while developing and maintaining strategic partnerships with Astraea’s funders, donors and philanthropic and movement allies. The VP, Engagement will also work closely and collaboratively with all members of the Executive and Management Teams and contribute to the development and oversight of organizational strategy and serve as the liaison to the Development Committee of the Board of Directors.

• Strategy and Vision:  The Vice President for Strategic Engagement will be responsible for collaboratively developing and implementing a vision in partnership with the Development and Communications Teams. They will be responsible for communicating a compelling and inspired vision or sense of core purpose for the team. The ideal candidate holds an understanding of strategic communications as an organizing tool to mobilize their team, articulates possibilities, is innovative and optimistic, and creates mileposts and symbols to rally their teams behind the vision, making that vision exciting and shareable by everyone. They will lead the implementation, evaluation, and reporting on Astraea’s strategic communications framework, articulating a radical queer vision for philanthropic advocacy. 

• Centering Equity and Anti-Oppression in all its forms: Astraea works to combat oppression in all forms by embracing intersectional feminism as part of a wider struggle for social justice, recognizing that sexism, transphobia, homophobia, misogyny and restrictive gender norms harm everyone. Rooting its feminism in social justice, they particularly support Black, Indigenous, People of Color and Global South movements and leadership. This position will be responsible, along with every executive leadership position at Astraea, for ensuring that the Foundation’s values and principles are embedded in the organization’s communications and resource mobilization strategies and practices both internally and externally. 

Required Skills and Experience

• A track record of providing visionary leadership and effective management of highly collaborative communications and development teams;
• Entrepreneurial approach to leading comprehensive and holistic communications and development strategies and campaigns across a variety of channels, with preference for diverse experience with community-centric and/or grassroots fundraising models. Experience with donor organizing or philanthropic advocacy is a plus;  
• A proven track record of fundraising success in a nonprofit of equal or greater size to Astraea, including the acquisition and stewardship of all levels of individual donors and foundations. Experience working with government funding a plus;
• Expertise in overseeing communication strategies to donors, donor prospects, institutional partners, and other key stakeholders, including media and a larger digitally engaged audience;
• Expertise in engaging media and cultivating wider audiences, both as a writer and public speaker;
• Expertise in overseeing databases and software aligned with resource mobilization and communications work, such as Blackbaud;
• Bachelor’s or advanced degree, or commensurate work experience with a minimum of 10-plus years of progressively responsible experience in a large nonprofit or foundation;
• Knowledge of nonprofit financial budgeting and planning.

Personal Qualities

• Superior communication skills, with the ability to summarize information and connect with a variety of internal and external audiences, clarity and persuasiveness in written and oral communications, and high comfort level with electronic media;
• Ability to work independently and effectively in a virtual, remote environment (for now), and build strong relationships with colleagues, staff, donors and partners across geographies and time zones;
• Strong conceptual, analytic, and organizational skills to inform strategy development and execution;
• A deep commitment to Astraea’s mission and values and to advancing gender, racial, disability and economic justice.

While we recognize that not all people will have all these experiences or qualities, the successful candidate will have some of the following: 

• A nuanced understanding of the philanthropic climate including trends and tensions, and Astraea’s place among global LGBTQI and feminist funders;
• Experience working with public foundations, feminist funds and/or participatory grant makers;
• History of being accountable to and working in solidarity with grassroots movements;
• Global perspective and/or lived experience in the Global South and East;
• Knowledge of social justice & community-centric approaches to resource mobilization & philanthropy.

Compensation

Astraea offers a competitive salary and benefits for this position, including resources for professional development. The range for annual compensation is $150,000 – $165,000 depending on experience. U.S. work authorization is required.

Location

The ideal candidate will live in the greater New York region. Candidates who do not live in the NYC metro area, but who are able to travel regularly (at least one to two times a month) to New York City and willing to travel based on the needs of the position, will also be considered.

Contact

For individuals wishing to be considered, please submit a cover letter and résumé to:

Michelle Kristel, Managing Partner
McCormack + Kristel
Phone: 212.531.5003 | Fax: 212.203.9599
Email: search@mccormackkristel.com | Website www.mccormackkristel.com

All inquiries will be held in strict confidence.  Please note that your education, dates of employment and other information will be verified prior to an offer.

Astraea is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse (multi-gender, cross-class and multi-racial), collaborative and sustainable work environment. We select, place, train, and promote the best-qualified individuals based upon relevant factors such as work quality, attitude, and experience so as to provide equal opportunity for all of our employees without regard to non-work-related factors such as sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, economic status, personal appearance including height and weight, family responsibility, matriculation, political affiliation or any other status. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the application and interview process, please express that with your cover letter and resume submission.

The Client
The Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice is the only philanthropic organization working exclusively to advance LGBTQI human rights around the globe. Astraea supports brilliant and brave grantee partners in the U.S. and internationally who challenge oppression and seed change. The Foundation’s founders—a cross-class, multi-racial group of women activists—dreamed of a women’s movement that centered the leadership of lesbians and women of color. For over four decades, Astraea has uniquely supported women’s rights and LBTQI movements working at the crossroads of gender justice, racial justice, bodily autonomy, sexual rights, and self-determination because we all deserve to live our lives freely, without fear, and with dignity. The first grantmaker to hundreds of organizations, Astraea plays a catalytic role for LGBTQI groups around the world – particularly those led by lesbian, bisexual and queer women, trans and gender nonconforming folks, intersex people, and people of color. Astraea’s grantmaking, capacity building, media and communications, and philanthropic advocacy programs support work to build powerful movements for justice. A proud public foundation and one of the first women’s funds in the world, in its 44-year history Astraea has granted over $49 million to LGBTQI activists and artists.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.astraeafoundation.org/

The Position
This is a newly created position reporting to the Executive Director. In collaboration with the Executive and Program Teams, the Vice President, Programs will provide leadership to create a unified and coherent vision and direction for Astraea’s international and domestic programmatic work, including (but not limited to) grantmaking initiatives. This position will lead the refinement, implementation and evaluation of Astraea’s liberatory, feminist and trust-based approach to grantmaking. As a member of Astraea’s Executive Leadership Team, the VP will lead a collaborative process to develop a departmental strategic plan, iterative reflection and evaluation of programs and programmatic strategies, including employing participatory grantmaking practices aligned with movement needs, contribute to honing programmatic work under each pillar: grantmaking, accompaniment/capacity building, philanthropic advocacy, and research & communications, and play a key role in shaping Astraea’s broader long-term strategy. In addition, the Vice President will oversee the implementation of a knowledge management/Learning & Evaluation system that tracks Astraea’s impact, supports organizational learning, and positions the foundation as a leader in intersectional gender justice grantmaking. The VP will also be an active leader, contributor and collaborator to Astraea’s broader communications, engagement and development strategies.

• Management and Organizational Leadership: The Vice President will be responsible for overseeing and managing a team of highly skilled and passionate Directors, AssociateDirectors and program staff who bring a depth of experience and understanding of the movements Astraea resources through its grantmaking. As such, the VP must be an astute manager of people and successful in developing and maintaining strategic partnerships with grantees, partners and resource people. The VP will oversee team goals, activities, operations, and performance and development of direct and indirect reports; oversee the program team budget; and cultivate and maintain an inclusive and equitable culture. Thisposition will also represent along with other program staff Astraea’s programming and impact to external audiences, including funding partners, donors and the board of directors.

• Strategy and Vision: The Vice President will be responsible for collaboratively developing and implementing a vision for program evolution, aligned with Astraea’s feminist funding principles, and must be able to engage in critical thinking, innovate and influence how changes occur. The VP must also be able to effectively communicate program vision and strategies. Additional responsibilities include networking peers in the field to stay connected with emerging opportunities and maintaining current knowledge about trends, movements and policy developments across all areas of grantmaking.

• Centering Equity and Anti-Oppression in all its forms: Astraea works externally to combat oppression in all forms by embracing intersectional queer feminism as part of a wider struggle for social justice, recognizing that sexism, transphobia, homophobia, misogyny, and restrictive gender norms harm everyone. Rooting its feminism in social justice, Astraea particularly supports Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and Global South & East movements and leadership. This position will be responsible for ensuring that these values and principles are embedded within Astraea’s grantmaking, accompaniment and philanthropic advocacy programs, as well as its internal culture.

The ideal candidate has demonstrated success in leading program strategy and related budgeting processes, experience managing remote and global teams, and is committed to nurturing a collaborative, values-aligned and vibrant work environment.

• Required Skills and Experience
• The successful candidate must have the following:
• 10 plus years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofits or public or private philanthropy, ideally as a Senior Program Officer, Associate Director, or Director of Programs;
• A track record of providing visionary leadership and effective management. Experience managing institutional growth and transformation;
• Strong decision-making ability; organizational team-building skills;
• Minimum five years of management and supervision experience, an inclusive leadership style, a commitment to distributive and feminist leadership, and the ability to motivate and develop direct reports, and build collaborative and accountable relationships;
• Experience working transnationally and overseeing global programs. Ideally, experience managing global teams;
• Ability to effectively resolve problems. Balances multiple needs, priorities and interests;
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment and open to feedback from colleagues;
• Broad knowledge and understanding of the needs and realities of LGBTQI movements around the world, especially in the geographic areas where Astraea works;
• Deep, authentic knowledge of racial, economic and gender justice and experience applying these equity practices to programs and management;
• Deep experience in conflict literacy and creating safe spaces where staff can share their authentic selves;
• Strong communication skills, both internal and external;
• An engaging and positive personality. Strong interpersonal skills;
• Deep passion and commitment to honest and candid conversations and self-reflection about racial and economic justice, gender, privilege, social class, power dynamics and Americanism;
• Knowledge of feminist leadership and funding principles, and comfort working in nontraditional ways;
• Understanding and acceptance of Astraea’s core values and guiding principles;
• Willingness to travel to represent the organization or speak at conferences, once the pandemic subsides;
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint);
• Bachelor’s or advanced degree, or commensurate work experience.

• The ideal candidate will have the following:
• Experience working within a social justice environment;
• Expert facilitation and change management skills. Experience working within a Healing Justice and Transformative Justice framework;
• International perspective and lived experience in the Global South and/or East;
• An understanding of the fiscal and donor reporting requirements associated with global grassroots grantmaking;
• Fluency in a language/languages other than English.

Compensation
Astraea offers a competitive salary and benefits for this position, including resources for professional development. The range for annual compensation is $150,000 – $165,000 depending on experience. U.S. work authorization is required.

Location
The ideal candidate will live in the greater New York region. Candidates who do not live in the NYC metro area, but who are able to travel regularly (at least one to two times a month) to New York City and willing to travel based on the needs of the position, will also be considered.

Contact
For individuals wishing to be considered, please submit a cover letter and résumé to:

Michelle Kristel, Managing Partner
McCormack + Kristel
Phone: 212.531.5003 | Fax: 212.203.9599
Email: search@mccormackkristel.com | Website www.mccormackkristel.com

All inquiries will be held in strict confidence. Please note that your education, dates of employment and other information will be verified prior to an offer.

Astraea is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse (multi-gender, cross-class and multi-racial), collaborative and sustainable work environment. We select, place, train, and promote the best- qualified individuals based upon relevant factors such as work quality, attitude, and experience so as to provide equal opportunity for all of our employees without regard to non-work-related factors such as sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, economic status, personal appearance including height and weight, family responsibility, matriculation, political affiliation or any other status. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the application and interview process, please express that with your cover letter and resume submission.

 The Client

Founded in 2004, the Immigration Center for Women and Children (ICWC) is a nonprofit organization providing free and affordable immigration services to underrepresented immigrants in California and Nevada. ICWC strives to provide security and stability for children who are abused, abandoned or neglected and for immigrants who are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and other violent crimes.

Using U.S. federal legislation, including the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), ICWC provides legal representation to immigrant survivors of trauma. The immigration benefits allow individuals to permanently leave their abusers and create safe environments for their families. ICWC’s overall goal is to assist survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, and other violent crimes in escaping abusive relationships, living in safety, and becoming self-sufficient.

ICWC’s team is recognized nationally for their humanitarian immigration law expertise and for the exceptional legal services they provide to immigrants who are survivors of violent crimes. To date, ICWC has served more than 45,000 individuals. 

Headquartered in Los Angeles, with additional offices in San Francisco, San Diego and Las Vegas, ICWC operates with over 40 staff and a $3.8 million annual budget. 

The Position

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Finance and Administration (DFA) will provide leadership and ensure ICWC is following best practices in the areas of Finance, Human Resources, and Information Technology. This position has been created to centralize and streamline processes, enhance systems, and improve efficiencies. The DFA will serve as a trusted thought partner and strategic advisor to the Executive Director and, as a member of the Leadership Team, will work closely with ICWC’s four Directing Attorneys.

The DFA oversees a 10-person team of administrative professionals and directly supervises the Operations Manager. Additionally, the DFA will oversee the accounting and IT consultants. Responsibilities include the following:

Financial Management

• Lead annual and long-term budget planning processes;

• Manage all AR/AP functions and oversee accurate income and expense tracking;  

• Oversee the production of accessible reports for the dissemination of financial data to the Leadership Team and the Board of Directors;

• Review and enhance fiscal systems and policies, including cash tracking procedures;

• Manage relationship with Accountants, coordinating audit activities and insuring timely and accurate tax filings and financial statements;

• Support fundraising activities through the development of budgets, and the collection and analysis of data for contract proposals and reports.

Administrative Management

• Develop and support recruiting and onboarding best practices including creating interview tools and new hire checklists; 

• Review performance evaluation and promotion processes and compensation guidelines, advise on employee retention and equity best practices;

• Oversee payroll processing including ensuring accurate timesheet reporting and expense reimbursements;

• Direct benefits administration including managing health insurance renewals and providing guidance to employees on open enrollment and other benefit-related subjects;

• Serve as liaison to the union representative and partner with Executive Director on contract negotiations;

• Manage lease negotiations and serve as point of contact with landlords for each of ICWC’s five offices;

• Review and serve as contact for vendor contracts;

• Ensure cost-effective coverage and timely renewal of insurance policies covering Worker’s Compensation, General and Professional Liability;

• Oversee maintenance and prudent upgrades of office equipment and furniture;

• Manage IT Consultant to complete the shared server migration;

• Partner with IT Consultant to monitor technology needs and to assure technology is being effectively utilized to share data and facilitate processes;

• Develop systems and policies for storing and protecting the organization’s voluminous and highly sensitive physical and digital information.

Leadership

• Partner with the Executive Director on operational issues as they arise; provide strategic recommendations based on financial analysis and projections, and revenue/expense analysis;

• Develop systems to enhance communication and increase efficiencies; 

• Mentor, encourage professional development, and provide support to build staff capacity;

• Ensure organizational activities and expenditures are aligned with ICWC’s mission;  

• Lead by example ensuring ICWC’s Core Operating Values are instilled throughout the organization.

  Professional Qualifications

• A minimum of five years of financial and administrative management experience with a nonprofit organization;

• Experience leading diverse and distributed teams;

• Demonstrated excellence in managing accounting, budgeting, payroll, HR and IT;

• An understanding of technology systems and best practices;

• Strong analytical skills and experience translating data into clear reports;

• Experience with legal services is not a requirement, but would be a significant plus;

• Familiarity with labor and employment law practices is also a plus;

• Proficiency in Quickbooks, Microsoft Office Suite, including advanced Excel skills, and Google Workspace;

• Strong writing skills and a meticulous attention to detail;

• Some Spanish language skills preferred;

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Personal Characteristics

 The ideal candidate will be a skillful manager with a passionate commitment to civil liberties and migrants’ rights. He/She/They will have a collaborative and flexible leadership style and well-developed customer service orientation. The DFA will be a hands-on manager who enjoys mentoring and working with a diverse staff in a mission driven environment. He/She/They will thrive overseeing the many, varied, and multi-faceted responsibilities of the position. The new DFA will be an effective communicator and a tech savvy leader who enjoys continuous improvement.

Opportunity

Over the last four years, punishing federal policies have brutalized our nation’s immigrants. For the clients they serve, ICWC’s work is lifesaving and lifechanging. This is an opportunity for a skilled professional to lead the financial and administrative functions of an organization that provides expert legal services to underrepresented and at-risk immigrants.

Compensation

ICWC is offering a competitive salary, commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate, and an excellent benefits package including generous PTO, health, dental and vision insurance, a 403(b) savings plan with an employer matching contribution, flex spending accounts, and reimbursement for preventative wellness activities. Basic relocation expenses are available for the exceptional individual they are seeking.

Location

The new DFA will work in ICWC’s Los Angeles office.  

Contact

Michelle Kristel, Managing Partner
McCormack+Kristel
1740 Broadway, 15th Floor
New York, NY 10019
Phone: 212.531.5003 | Fax: 212.203.9599
Email: search@mccormackkristel.com | Website: www.mccormackkristel.com

All inquiries will be held in strict confidence.  Please note that your education, dates of employment and other information will be verified prior to an offer.

Immigration Center for Women and Children is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit and business needs. ICWC does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (including religious dress practice and religious grooming practice), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, sex, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, physical and mental disabilities, genetic characteristics or information, a diagnosis or history of cancer, uniformed service member status, veterans status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state and/or local law.

About Us

McCormack + Kristel is a national provider of executive search consulting services for nonprofit and philanthropic organizations. Established in 1993, as McCormack & Associates, by veteran search consultant Joseph A. McCormack, the firm was the first openly LGBTQ-owned retained search firm in the country and among the first to specialize in diversity recruiting.

Founded with the mission of filling senior leadership positions in the HIV/AIDS sector during the height of the AIDS epidemic, today, McCormack + Kristel serves a broad spectrum of mission-driven organizations with a focus on advocacy, healthcare, social services, and social justice. Over the last six years, the firm has led 70 searches. Recent placements include CEOs, C-Suite executives, and board members for organizations including the ACLU, the Dr. Susan Love Foundation, Lambda Legal, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, NRDC, SAGE and TransForm.

McCormack + Kristel is veteran- and woman-owned and a longtime certified diversity supplier. A true boutique practice, members of the firm’s five-person team are all subject matter experts dedicated to strengthening leadership and building capacity within nonprofit organizations and the foundations that support them.

The Position

Under the general supervision of the Managing Partner and with oversight of the search team, the Search Consultant is responsible for winning and leading executive searches. Leveraging nonprofit leadership and organizational development expertise, the Search Consultant is a trusted advisor to our clients and effective advocate for our candidates. 

With responsibility for leading multiple engagements, the Search Consultant is an adept project manager able to set realistic expectations, meet competing timelines and deliverables, and ensure successful outcomes. The consultant is a strategic thinker advising clients on issues such as reporting structure, compensation parity and onboarding plans. 

Search Consultants have excellent interpersonal skills and are talented relationship managers effectively collaborating with clients, courting candidates and mining sources. They are skilled problem solvers who must consider the totality of a client’s need, which often goes well beyond filling an open specific position. Exceptional Search Consultants have the self-confidence to deliver honest opinions to a client and the humility to engage in collaborative problem solving. 

Primary responsibilities include:

• Engage in all aspects of business development including identifying prospective clients, crafting proposals, and participating on pitches;

• Work closely with clients to understand the organization’s culture and to define the position and ideal candidate profile;

• Collaborate with Senior Associate and Recruiting Coordinator to develop the Research Plan and Marketing Strategy;

• Lead candidate courtship and assessment including recruiting, interviewing, and conducting reference calls;

• Guide clients through candidate selection process including writing candidate reports, developing interview questions, providing evaluation tools, and facilitating deliberation and selection;

• Maintain open and effective lines of communication with clients throughout search and during placements’ first years including preparing search status reports, leading check-in calls, and conducting 30, 90, 180-day follow-up calls;

• Ensure all search activities reflect the firm’s commitment to building diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces.

Professional Requirements

• Professional experience that includes interviewing and evaluating for executive and senior-level nonprofit leadership positions. Search consulting, recruiting, HR, or organizational development experience is ideal;

• Project management skills including the ability to successfully manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet competing deadlines;

• Exceptional relationship building and client management skills including a consultative approach to problem solving and the ability to anticipate client needs;

• The ability to effectively foster and lead collaborative partnerships;

• A thorough understanding of equitable hiring practices including experience utilizing tools and coaching hiring managers and committees to reduce bias;

• Superior oral and written communication skills are essential, as is attention to detail in the development of reports, proposals, and other materials;

• Strong sales and negotiation skills to win business, recruit passive candidates, and fill positions;

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 and experience with CRMs or recruiting software such as Encore Max, File Finder or Bullhorn/Talent Rover;

• Advanced online research skills, team collaboration applications and social media marketing experience are value-adds.

Personal Characteristics

• A strong commitment to enhancing leadership capacity within nonprofit and philanthropic organizations;

• Knowledge of the history, issues, and influencers shaping the LGBTQ, HIV/AIDS, racial, economic, and environmental social justice movements;

• Comfort working remotely and independently;

• Willingness and ability to travel and to conduct work during evenings and weekends;

• Unwavering commitment to upholding the firm’s values of integrity and exceptional customer care.

Compensation

McCormack + Kristel offers a generous commission structure and staff support for research, candidate development, scheduling, posting, document production and other administrative activities. Search Consultants will be engaged initially as commission-based independent contractors. Bonuses, profit sharing, and partnership opportunities will be extended to consultants who prove to be exceptional recruiters, business developers, and client managers. 

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

McCormack + Kristel believes diversity, equity, and inclusion are the essential pillars of healthy, thriving organizations. The firm was established with a mission to ensure all qualified candidates are given equal consideration by our clients. Through continuous learning and process enhancements, we endeavor to minimize bias in the candidate evaluation and selection process and increase diverse leadership in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. With the understanding that equitable policies and inclusive cultures are critical to the success of diverse placements, we commit to providing critical insights and honest feedback to our clients. 

Core to our firm’s values is the belief that all organizations, including our own, should reflect the rich diversity of the communities and constituents they serve and the country we call home. We embrace diverse perspectives and experiences and strive to create a culture that is welcoming and inclusive.  

Location

Search Consultants work remotely from home and shared offices across the country. Search Consultants can work from anywhere with the understanding most client business is conducted between the hours of 9 am ET and 5 pm PT and that when post-COVID travel resumes, travel expenses are reimbursed by nonprofit clients who are generally cost sensitive. 

Contact

Please submit, in confidence, your cover letter and résumé as attachments via e-mail to:

Michelle Kristel, Managing Partner
McCormack+Kristel
1740 Broadway, 15th Floor
New York, NY 10019
Phone: 212.531.5003 | Fax: 212.203.9599
Email: search@mccormackkristel.com | Websitewww.mccormackkristel.com

McCormack + Kristel is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or family status, veteran status, height, weight, disability, record of arrest or conviction, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable law.

People of color, women, veterans, people with disabilities and people of diverse sexual orientations, gender expressions and identities are encouraged to apply.

The Client

Established in 1977, the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice (Astraea) is one of the first women’s funds in the world and the only solely dedicated to LBTQI rights globally. The founders– a cross-class, multi-racial group of women activists – dreamed of a feminist movement thatcentered the leadership of lesbians and women of color. For over four decades, Astraea has uniquely supported women’s rights and LBTQI movements working at the crossroads of gender justice, racial justice, bodily autonomy, sexual rights, and self-determination.

As a LBTQI women’s fund, Astraea uniquely fuels groups at the nexus of feminist and LBTQI movements. Astraea’s reach is unparalleled: since its inception, they have granted over $49 million via more than 5,000 grants to over 2,000 grantee partners in 120 countries and nearly all 50 states in the United States (U.S.). Astraea shifts power and resources to LBTQI and feminist activists so that they can build strong, intersectional movements that combat violence and discrimination, counter structural economic and social inequalities and drive transformational cultural change.

Headquartered in New York City, Astraea’s mission is advanced by more than 30 staff in the U.S. and around the world. The team comes from diverse backgrounds and possesses a wealth of experience and knowledge. Tied together by a deep passion for human rights and social justice, the staff places a high value on self-awareness, commitment to racial justice, shared learning, and genuine kindness.

Over the years, Astraea has continued to honor the legacy of its founding mothers: uncompromising in a vision of rights for all, upholding values such as belief in self-determination, community empowerment, movement building, and building across issues and generations. The organization that grew from this lesbian feminist vision is a multi-gender, multi-racial, multi-identity public foundation that in 2020 granted over $5.3 million to 203 grantee-partners across the globe.

Astraea operates with a budget of $14 million and is governed by a 13-person Board of Directors.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.astraeafoundation.org/

The Opportunity

The mission of Astraea is needed now more than ever. Our world and our people are up against unending challenges, and with the confluence of global health, political, and economic disruptions unfolding amid tectonic shifts in philanthropy and LGBTQI movements, the need for bold queer feminist funding has never been greater. Astraea experienced exponential and transformative growth over the past several years, including receiving an unrestricted $4M gift from MacKenzie Scott last year. With a significantly increased base of funding, Astraea has radically increased its reach and impact. Now, while continuing to build power and challenge the status quo, Astraea is utilizing this leadership transition period to invest in organizational development and staff well-being.

Since September 2019, under the leadership of Interim Executive Director Sandy Nathan, Astraea has invested in its operational and financial infrastructure, hired critical roles, and restructured staff teams and reporting lines to align more with its functions. They have also prioritized staff wellness and sustainability, centered conversations on anti-oppression, anti-racism, and Astraea’s values, and built strategic alignment across the board and staff on Astraea’s priorities moving forward.

This is a time of transition and stabilization for this 40+ year old organization. This is an exceptional opportunity for a leader to lay the foundation and build the infrastructure for what Astraea will be in its next decades, shaping the organization to meet this moment and beyond. The new leader will inherit a financially stable, mission-driven organization with a strong culture that is living its feminist social justice values.

The Position

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the new Executive Director will build on Astraea’s proud radical history to create a nimble, thriving, and resilient organization that effectively and efficiently shifts power to LGBTQI people. In collaboration with board, staff, and key partners, the leader’s responsibilities will include:

Strategy, Vision & Leadership

• With staff, board, grantees, advisors, and peers, develop and implement a strategic plan that defines Astraea’s role in the global ecosystem of feminist funds and movements;
• In collaboration with regional and feminist funds, enhance Astraea’s role in building LGBTQI movements and the philanthropic infrastructure;
• Lead the staff executive team which stewards the mission, programs, and operations of Astraea, including program design and the development of annual goals, ensuring that all programs are integrated and advance Astraea’s mission;
• Conduct periodic evaluation of existing work and assess ideas for new work as measured against Astraea’s vision, mission, and strategic plan;
• Identify, assess, and inform the board of directors of internal and external issues that affect Astraea, and act as a professional advisor to the boards on all aspects of Astraea’s activities;
• Share leadership with and provide staff support to the board, facilitating its work as a governing and fundraising body and its continuation as an engaged and cohesive group;
• Establish good working relationships and collaborative arrangements with grantees, government institutions, funders, and other organizations working in the sector to help achieve Astraea’s goals;
• Promote Astraea’s culture of integrity, cooperation, inclusiveness, transparency, and accountability, in which critical thinking, respectful discussion, creativity, and sound judgement are valued.

Organizational Development

• Ensure the organizational structure supports the recent expansion of grantmaking and programs, while centering staff and reinforcing an anti-oppression frame;
• Advance racial, gender, disability, and economic justice throughout the organization’s culture, structures, policies, and operations;
• Dedicate resources and expertise to build a robust human resources department;
• Oversee the updating and integration of technology systems adequate to meet the needs of globally distributed organization;
• Refine and implement policies and procedures that reflect Astraea’s values;
• Center mentoring and coaching of the management and senior teams, providing support to build strong teams;
• Support the development of a leadership pipeline for diverse staff;
• Prioritize professional development and mentoring for the next generation of leaders;
• Ensure effective decision-making practices and clear communication that build staff alignment, facilitate productive and joyful struggle, and engage those most directly impacted;
• Make it a top priority to develop and maintain an effective, healthy, and values-alignedorganization that practices and lives Astraea’s feminist values in everything it does.

Fundraising and Fiscal Stewardship

• Enthusiastically lead and actively engage in Astraea’s diverse fundraising efforts;
• In partnership with board and staff, develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including individuals and institutions to expand Astraea’s base of supporters;
• Leverage external presence to grow Astraea’s fundraising initiatives;
• Diversify and increase unrestricted funding sources, especially from individual donors, and grow Astraea’s reserves and endowment;
• Oversee the effective and efficient management of the organization’s financial resources ensuring its fiscal stability and long-term sustainability;
• Working closely with the CFO, ensure that financial and administrative systems, and sound bookkeeping, accounting procedures, and internal controls are in place and followed by all staff;
• Provide the board with comprehensive, regular reports on the revenues and expenditures of the organization.

Communications & Outreach

• Serve as primary external spokesperson for Astraea;
• With an authentic and progressive voice, represent Astraea in the media, in the activist and philanthropic communities, and to a broad range of stakeholders including grantee partners, donors, and advisors;
• Serve as a trusted advisor to governments, private foundations, movements, and grassroots organizations;
• Foster effective communication among all facets of the organization;
• Set up oversight mechanisms to ensure continual assessment of progress towards goals and compliance with all applicable legal, accounting, and reporting regulations.

Professional Requirements
The successful candidate must have the following:

• A deep commitment to Astraea’s mission and values and to advancing gender, racial, disability, and economic justice;
• Executive or senior leadership experience, including experience managing remote teams;
• Experience with nonprofit organizational development, with proven success in building strong and effective teams and scaling operational infrastructure to support a growing organization;
• Strategic fundraising experience that includes cultivating individual and institutional donor relationships, and soliciting major gifts;
• Prior experience working with a nonprofit board and a demonstrable understanding of board development, governance and decision-making;
• Financial acumen to develop, track, and manage a $14 million budget that includes restricted government contracts, foreign funds, complex investments, and fiscal sponsorships;
• Demonstrated experience leading the creation and implementation of strategic plans;
• Strong communications skills including the ability to effectively convey Astraea’s radical vision in accessible ways and to engage individuals and large groups;
• Humility and emotional intelligence, including the capacity for self-insight and learning and the resiliency to hold the emotions and experiences of staff and other partners;
• Fluency in English;
• Enthusiasm for significant domestic and international travel.

While Astraea recognizes that not every individual will exhibit all of these qualities, the successful candidate will demonstrate at least one – and ideally more than one – of the following:

• A nuanced understanding of the philanthropic climate including current trends and tensions, and Astraea’s place among global LGBTQI and feminist funders;
• Senior experience with building and growing a strong organizational culture centered around racial, gender, disability, and economic justice;
• Experience managing an organizational budget of at least $10M;
• History of being accountable to and in solidarity with grassroots movements, especially those in the Global South and/or East;
• Commitment to lifelong learning and a drive to mentor, coach, and support staff;
• International perspective and lived experience in the Global South and/or East;
• An understanding of the fiscal and donor reporting requirements associated with global grassroots grantmaking;
• Fluency in a language/languages other than English.

Compensation

Commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate, the salary range for the position is $215,000 – $225,000 per annum. In addition to generous PTO, Astraea provides an excellent benefits package including health, dental, vision, short- and long-term
disability, and ancillary insurance, as well as flex spending and health reimbursement accounts, and a 401(k) savings plan with employer match. Reimbursement of basic relocation expenses will be considered for the exceptional individual we are seeking.

Location

In response to public health guidelines concerning COVID-19, Astraea’s staff is currently working remotely. Ideally, when restrictions are lifted and congregant workplaces are deemedsafe, the new Executive Director will work on-site in the Foundation’s New York office, however the board is open to considering U.S.-based remote candidates. If selected, an Executive Director living outside of the New York metropolitan area will be expected to spend one week per month on-site in the Foundation’s New York office. The Foundation will cover the cost of travel and accommodations related to the candidate establishing a New York presence. As for non-U.S. based candidates, present legal ability to work in the US. is not required. Astraea will work with the selected candidate to pursue the appropriate visa.

Contact

For individuals wishing to be considered for the Executive Director position, please submit a cover letter and résumé(s) as attachments via e-mail to search@mccormackkristel.com. Applications will be reviewed and considered until the position is filled.

Michelle Kristel, Managing Partner
Soladé Rowe, Senior Consultant
McCormack+Kristel
1740 Broadway, 15th Floor
New York, NY 10019
Phone: 212.531.5003 | Fax: 212.203.9599
Email: search@mccormackkristel.com | Websitewww.mccormackkristel.com

All inquiries will be held in strict confidence. Please note that your education, dates of employment and other information will be verified prior to an offer.

Astraea is an equal opportunity employer. Astraea’s policy is to select, place, train and promote the best qualified individuals based upon relevant factors such as work quality, attitude and experience so as to provide equal opportunity for all of our employees in compliance with applicable local, state and federal law, and without regard to non-work related factors such as sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, economic status, personal appearance including height and weight, family responsibility, matriculation, political affiliation or any other status protected by applicable law. This policy applies to all activities, including but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, transfers, promotions and benefits. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination and access to benefits and training.